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Imagine that your boss told you straight to your face that your project is “dog shit.” Next, imagine that this boss is Steve Jobs. That’s what happened to me wh

Imagine that your boss told you straight to your face that your project is “dog shit.” Next, imagine that this boss is Steve Jobs. That’s what happened to me when I was working as the principal engineer of iPhone software during Apple’s golden years. What was the right way for me to react? It would have been a bad idea for me to agree with Steve, raising the question of why I would offer him inferior work. But it would have done no good to disagree either, unless I was willing to enter into an on-the-spot debate with a famously mercurial CEO—and at that moment, I wasn’t. The answer is easy. Immediately tell your boss that he is using inappropriate language, stop the conversation, and report him to HR. I'm pretty sure this is what Apple's official policy for this sort of situations tells you to do.

everdev 8y ago
It would be nice if it was that easy. Unfortunately, it's far too easy for HR to give the boss a pass, especially when the accuser is below them (and considered less important to the company). And it's not too difficult for that boss to find ways to get you fired if they feel betrayed by you reporting them. Giving you impossible deadlines, tasks you aren't well suited for, dropping hints to other people that you're not performing well, etc. Corporate politics are ugly and are designed to get around HR. Or, maybe HR takes your side, who knows, but I think a lot of people are afraid to report out of fear for their jobs.
the-dude 8y ago
You seem to assume HR is there for you ( it is not ).
- im3w1l 8y ago
  If you fear that HR will not take your side than bring it up with your union.
  - kosei 8y ago
    What union?
GoToRO 8y ago
Since when calling dog shit "dog shit" is "inappropriate language". People these days are all winners and can't face the reality it seems. Also he asks what is the right way to react? To agree or to disagree. :)))) I just can't stop laughing. In his narrow mind these are the only options and they are both wrong! A true engineer will just ask why? and then shut up and listen. But these days everybody has an opinion. My opinion is that Earth is flat. There you go.
mrhackerpoland 8y ago
Most likely what will happen is not what you think. They'll do nothing and successice complaints will remove you from a role which requires you interfacing with the CEO and then someone else who is capable of taking these blows will get the compesation and influence you had when you were in that role. It's a balancing act, you can't have everything your way.

everdev 8y ago

It would be nice if it was that easy. Unfortunately, it's far too easy for HR to give the boss a pass, especially when the accuser is below them (and considered less important to the company). And it's not too difficult for that boss to find ways to get you fired if they feel betrayed by you reporting them. Giving you impossible deadlines, tasks you aren't well suited for, dropping hints to other people that you're not performing well, etc. Corporate politics are ugly and are designed to get around HR. Or, maybe HR takes your side, who knows, but I think a lot of people are afraid to report out of fear for their jobs.

the-dude 8y ago

You seem to assume HR is there for you ( it is not ).

im3w1l 8y ago
If you fear that HR will not take your side than bring it up with your union.
- kosei 8y ago
  What union?

GoToRO 8y ago

Since when calling dog shit "dog shit" is "inappropriate language". People these days are all winners and can't face the reality it seems. Also he asks what is the right way to react? To agree or to disagree. :)))) I just can't stop laughing. In his narrow mind these are the only options and they are both wrong! A true engineer will just ask why? and then shut up and listen. But these days everybody has an opinion. My opinion is that Earth is flat. There you go.

mrhackerpoland 8y ago

Most likely what will happen is not what you think. They'll do nothing and successice complaints will remove you from a role which requires you interfacing with the CEO and then someone else who is capable of taking these blows will get the compesation and influence you had when you were in that role. It's a balancing act, you can't have everything your way.